Factors that Influences Religious Conversion among Muslim Splinter Groups in Indonesia

10 Pages Posted: 23 Dec 2012

See all articles by Salman Harun

Salman Harun

Faculty of Education, Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University Jakarta.

Mohamad Avicenna

Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University (UIN) - Faculty of Psychology

Mohamad Atqa

Center of Multifaith, State Islamic University Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta

Date Written: December 23, 2012

Abstract

There are two types of religious conversion, namely external and internal religious conversion. The external conversion occurs when a person adopting new religion that differs from the previous religion. Another is the internal conversion that is a changing from one denomination to another, but still within the same religion (Paloutzian, 1996). Research on religious conversion has been developed. However they more concentrate on the external conversion (such as Malony dan Southard, 1992; Barro & Hwang, 2007). Limited information investigates about the internal conversion, especially among splinter groups. Increasing numbers of religious violence and worried about reaction of radical Muslim give impacts that religious life among Muslim splinters is difficult to be investigated.

The most significant factor influences someone to convert is a conflict. Previously, they face conflicts about their own religious beliefs and identity, unsure of their place in the community and angry with their religious leaders. Then after conversion, they get a wide range of emotional gratifications, such as a sense of belonging, relief from guilt, development of new relationships, and offer sense of excitement and stimulation (Rambo, 1993; Palaoutzian, 1999).

Another factor that is also important to be measured in religious conversion is religious motivation. According to Allport, there are two types of religious motivations. Intrinsic motivation is described as people with mature and meaningful religion. They display behaviors based on their religion. On the contrary, extrinsic motivation is people using their religion only in order to achieve a nonreligious goal (Beck & Jessup, 2004). However, what type of motivation contributes to religious conversion is not much investigated.

Religious conversion can be considered as a process of finding the meaning of life, encouraging the people to find what is considered important and valuable in their life. Paloutzian (1981) found that people experienced high spirituality and at the same time showed greater understanding of the meaning of life. However, research on meaning of life among Muslim splinter has rarely examined.

Religious conversion is often influenced by religious support. Availability of support from clergy or congregation members help the people in converts their religion. The support can be expressed in many forms, such as care from congregations or religious organization, religious counseling, and assistance from clergy and hospital chaplains.

Based on explanation mentioned above, the objective of this study will measure the influence of conflict, religious support, religious motivation, and search for the meaning on religious conversion among Muslim splinter groups in Indonesia.

Keywords: religious conversion, religious support, conflict, meaning of life, religious motivation, splinter, Muslim

Suggested Citation

Harun, Salman and Avicenna, Mohamad and Atqa, Mohamad, Factors that Influences Religious Conversion among Muslim Splinter Groups in Indonesia (December 23, 2012). OIDA International Journal of Sustainable Development, Vol. 05, No. 08, pp. 11-20, 2012, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2193270

Salman Harun (Contact Author)

Faculty of Education, Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University Jakarta. ( email )

Indonesia

Mohamad Avicenna

Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University (UIN) - Faculty of Psychology ( email )

Indonesia

Mohamad Atqa

Center of Multifaith, State Islamic University Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta ( email )

Jalan Ir Haji Juanda
Jakarta, 15412
Indonesia

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